Improvement in paper bags



I. W. POPE. PAPER-BAGS.

N01 194,170. Patented Aug. 1 ,1877'.

WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEY-S N. PETERS, PNOTO-LIT'HOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D. C'

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRVING w. POPE, OF OHAGRIN FALLS, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT m PAPER BAGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,170, dated August 14, 1877; application filed February 21, 1877.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, IRVING W. POPE, of Chagrin Falls, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper Bags; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to paper bags; and consists in providing the same with a slit, slot, or gore-shaped out, whereby they can be handled with much greater facility and dis patch.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a paper bag embodying my invention. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 represent several modifications. Fig. 5 shows the manner in which the bag may be handled when being opened.

The object of my invention is to obviate the difficulty experienced in the handling of paper bags-that is, to facilitate the operation of separating the sides from each other when it is desired to open the bag for the purpose of introducing any suitable article.

Fig. 1 shows an ordinary paper bag, such asis usually employedin the-trade. Any other shape or sizeof paper bag might have been represented instead thereof, as my invention is equally applicable to all kinds and sizes.

The dotted lines at H represent the seam or place where the paper overlaps, and is pasted or fastened together. B is a cut or slit made at the top and in one side of the bag, as illustrated in the drawing. Said slit may be longer or shorter than shown in the drawing without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In Fig. l I have represented the slit as placed in the same, and I prefer that location for the reason that the double or greater thickness of paper at that place lessens the liability of the slit from becoming enlarged or tearing; but its position is not essential, for it may be placed to one or the other side of the seam, as shown in Fig. 3. Neither is it essential that said slit shall be parallel with the sides of the bag, for it may be placed at any angle therewith, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Still another modification is shown in Fig. 2, where the bag is provided with an aperture or hole, (I, in one side, from which a slot, B, extends to the top of the bag. This aperture d prevents, in a great measure, the enlargement ortearing out of the slit; but its employment is not essential to the successful operation of my invention.

in Fig. 5 is illustrated how the slit or goreshaped slot may assist in enabling the operation of openingthe paper bag to beperformed easily, readily. and instantly. By holding the bag in the left hand, as shown in said figure, grasping both sides of the bag between the thumb and forefinger, and then turning the hand slightly to the left, the bag will assume the position shown in Fig. 5. The thumb can then be advanced beyond the opened slit, and between the separated sides of the bag to be further opened.

The operation just described can be performed almost instantly, which is evident from a mere inspection of the drawing. Of

course the bag may be opened in many difier re ent ways, each assisted by the presence of the slit 0n the bag.

What I claim .as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A paper bag having a cut, B, formed in its upper edge, without removing any material from the edge of the bag, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

IRVING W. POPE.

Witnesses: I

FRANOIS TOUMEY, WM. BEHRENS. 

